Yesterday was the announcement of the Costa Book Of The Year:
Nathan Filer - The Shock of the Fall
Nathan Filer - The Shock of the Fall
Nathan is a very kind and encouraging man, and I have the privilege to have him as my tutor. The classes with Nathan on a Thursday morning are my favourite - since becoming ill and having dropped low on my attendance, his classes are the most fun I've had in ages.
I first saw Nathan a few years ago when he performed some of his rather amusing performance poetry, and following that I went to the book launch of his novel because I think it is a wonderful thing to support local, upcoming novelists. Everyone seemed so proud when the book first came out, and now all over again.
Previous Book Of The Year winners. Nathan now stands alongside:
The Betting Odds - of which Nathan smashed:
11-8 9-4 7-2 11-2 7-1 | Kate Atkinson's Novel Lucy Hughes-Hallet's Biography Michael Symmons Roberts's Poetry Nathan Filer's First Novel Chris Riddell's Children's Book |
As betting odds are confusing, this basically means, if I'd bet £10 on Nathan I would have won £55, but only £13.70 if betting the same on Kate.
As for the novel itself, I really enjoyed it.
It was certainly entertaining, and I found I never grew tired of any moment of it. The events were not grand, but were comfortably English and, in a way, humbling too. The voice is of course the strongest aspect of the book, but what gets this full marks is Filer's appreciation of the intelligence of his readers. He does not spoon-feed or repeat; instead he uses carefully placed motifs and ideas that take form in our mind because we remember reading about such-and-such many pages before. It is intelligently written.
As a mental health nurse himself, Nathan has created an interesting, unfiltered picture of mental health. "Mental health care in the UK," he says "is in an utter, God-awful mess."
The main character, Matthew, is roughly my age too - so there are warming references to Super Mario and the like.
It was certainly entertaining, and I found I never grew tired of any moment of it. The events were not grand, but were comfortably English and, in a way, humbling too. The voice is of course the strongest aspect of the book, but what gets this full marks is Filer's appreciation of the intelligence of his readers. He does not spoon-feed or repeat; instead he uses carefully placed motifs and ideas that take form in our mind because we remember reading about such-and-such many pages before. It is intelligently written.
As a mental health nurse himself, Nathan has created an interesting, unfiltered picture of mental health. "Mental health care in the UK," he says "is in an utter, God-awful mess."
The main character, Matthew, is roughly my age too - so there are warming references to Super Mario and the like.
I am extremely proud and pleased for him. I can only hope he wants to continue being our teacher because I have found him to be supportive and inspirational - he has shown interest in my writing, which has encouraged me to work hard to impress him, as he has impressed so many.
"I found it dark, touching, sweet and funny and beautifully written."
Jo Brand, a former mental health nurse herself.
Jo Brand, a former mental health nurse herself.
"A terrific debut: engaging, funny and inventive."
Joe Dunthorne, author of Submarine
Joe Dunthorne, author of Submarine
"A gripping, exhilarating read… dazzlingly rendered."
The Guardian
The Guardian